National Bowel Screening Programme
Introduction
We’re excited to share some great news from the NBSP (National Bowel Screening Programme). Our Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty programme has hit a major milestone, completing over 1,000 preassessments. In total more than 25,748 people have been screened, catching 77 cancers, mostly at an early stage. What’s also worth celebrating is the numerous
February 2023
high-risk polyps the programme has found and removed – potentially stopping future cancers in their tracks. Your support means the world to us. Thank you for all you do in encouraging patients and Whānau to participate in bowel screening. You’re making a real difference in many people’s lives.
Participation Nationally
Overall: 56%
Māori: 48%
Pacific: 36%
Participation in Hauora a Toi
Overall:
56%
47,625 Kits sent
Māori: 43%
25,748 Kits returned
77 Cancers Detected: 8 Māori, 1 Pacific.
Pacific: 43%
1086 positive FITS
186 Māori and 9 Pacific
Completed
881 colonoscopies
HOT TIP
As we all know and has recently been confirmed by a study completed by the National Bowel Screening Team, individuals are significantly more inclined to complete their bowel screening when their primary care provider orders a kit and discusses screening with them, compared to those without such involvement.
Did you know with just a few clicks you can order a kit for eligible people through your PMS. Its super quick and easy and could save someone’s life. If you would like more information, please contact one of the team at matt.wallace@bopdhb.govt.nz
National Bowel Screening Programme
Colonoscopy wait time update
If your positive FIT patients ask, we are currently booking Colonoscopies with a timeline of referral/ preassessment/ colonoscopy of two weeks. Some require clinical review and input from other specialists, however 80% are booked within 2 weeks.
Good news story
68-year-old Les Wilson believes he “dodged a bullet” thanks to the National Bowel Screening Programme.
“If it had not been for the screening programme, I would never have known I had cancer. Had I discovered this a few years down the track, it may have been too late,” explains Les.
The Papamoa local received a FIT test (bowel screening test) in the mail and didn’t hesitate in completing the test at home and posting it back. Les was contacted shortly afterwards to say the test had come back positive.
NBSP Team
Matt Wallace NBSP Programme Manager Bay of Plenty talks about the programme.
Why did you decide to work within the Bowel Screening programme?
Because bowel screening is a unique programme that allows you to see the impact you are making in a real and tangible way
How do you find working in the programme?
I enjoy bowel screening as we have instant access to real time data, numbers of:
• positive FITs,
• colonoscopies completed,
“It was a total shock. I didn’t have any symptoms,” said Les.
An MRI and CT scan found a cancerous growth in his bowel and Les was quickly booked in for surgery.
“Within a fortnight of having my tests, I was in Tauranga Hospital having part of my bowel removed. They removed the growth, and I am now cancer free.”
Les cannot fault the care he’s received throughout his journey. “Everyone was great. The doctors and nurses, the after-care service, the dietitians, the District Nurses – they were all amazing. Nothing was too much trouble and I have not experienced any pain the entire time.”
Les’s advice to others who receive the FIT test in the mail is simple.
“Do the test!!! Don’t hesitate because it can save your life. I am so grateful for the bowel screening programme.”
• cancers found.
What would you change?
I would like community providers to be able to hand out FIT kits. A pilot is in progress to enable and evaluate this.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Hanging out with family, pottery, and fishing.
